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The Shape of Dialogue

Philosophy Podcasts

The Shape of Dialogue podcast focuses on the foundational principles that make societies function at their best. It initially started with an investigation into free speech, it continues to discuss relevant and interesting topics about our world and how best to navigate through it.

Location:

New Zealand

Description:

The Shape of Dialogue podcast focuses on the foundational principles that make societies function at their best. It initially started with an investigation into free speech, it continues to discuss relevant and interesting topics about our world and how best to navigate through it.

Twitter:

@OfDialogue

Language:

English


Episodes
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Are empires ethical? with Lord Nigel Biggar - The Shape of Dialogue #46

2/10/2026
About Nigel Biggar: https://nigelbiggar.uk/about/ Nigel Biggar CBE is Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral Theology at the University of Oxford and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Pusey House, Oxford. He holds a B.A. in Modern History from Oxford and a Ph.D. in Christian Theology & Ethics from the University of Chicago. He was appointed C.B.E. “for services to Higher Education” in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The Treaty of Waitangi https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/treaty-waitangi/treaty-close/full-text-te-tiriti-o Chris Hipkins: How shared values can unite Aotearoa and not divide https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/chris-hipkins-how-shared-values-can-unite-aotearoa-and-not-divide/74ZQEKGFARAWZN7W5OHN27KY3A/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email David Seymour: Treaty should mean equal rights, not race-based policy https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/david-seymour-treaty-should-mean-equal-rights-not-race-based-policy/UBZ5PT56HNCJDCZZEJN6S4PHEU/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir and The English Baroque Soloists https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016 https://open.spotify.com/album/3ELfX4GIPcYOTJBl8PdoKi?si=I8bz8nhaTyK3Qq4E5-ZtXg

Duration:01:05:51

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What are schools for? with Katharine Birbalsingh - The Shape of Dialogue #46

1/30/2026
Katharine Birbalsingh, CBE, is the Headmistress and co-founder of Michaela Community School in Wembley, London. She was Chair of the Social Mobility Commission from 2021 to 2023. Michaela School is renowned for its high standards of behaviour and academic achievement, knowledge curriculum and teaching of kindness and gratitude. In 2017, Ofsted graded the school as ‘Outstanding’ in every category. In 2022, almost 75% of all GCSEs were graded 9 to 7 (A* to A). 98% of pupils achieved a 4+ (C or above) in both English and Maths, with 99% of all pupils achieving grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in at least 5 subjects. Katharine read Philosophy and Modern Languages at the University of Oxford and has always taught in inner London. She has made numerous appearances on television and radio and has written for several UK publications. Katharine has written 2 books and edited 2 more, including The Power of Culture (published in June 2020). Katharine was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours by the Queen. https://michaela.education/

Duration:00:53:51

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Free Speech & Common Knowledge with Steven Pinker - The Shape of Dialogue #45

1/6/2026
About Steven Pinker - https://stevenpinker.com/biocv When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life https://stevenpinker.com/publications/when-everyone-knows-everyone-knows-common-knowledge-and-mysteries-money-power-and Tickets: An Evening with Steven Pinker https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/event/2400635CC1573F86 Antisemitic protest outside the Sydney Opera House chanting "Gas the Jews" https://youtube.com/shorts/cQcoLR4y1P8?si=ajGQYmsC_lPzylHN Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir and The English Baroque Soloists https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016 https://open.spotify.com/album/3ELfX4GIPcYOTJBl8PdoKi?si=I8bz8nhaTyK3Qq4E5-ZtXg

Duration:00:34:06

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Why don’t we name it? with Brett Hall - The Shape of Dialogue #44

12/27/2025
Brett Hall talks about why the Australian government can’t name the cause of the Bondi Beach massacre of Jews. About Brett Hall - https://www.bretthall.org/about.html Josh Frydenberg urges PM Anthony Albanese to take tougher action after Bondi massacre https://youtu.be/PPVkyzg5x9M?si=o2_DKw5ymqJHih0u Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir and The English Baroque Soloists https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016 https://open.spotify.com/album/3ELfX4GIPcYOTJBl8PdoKi?si=I8bz8nhaTyK3Qq4E5-ZtXg

Duration:01:01:21

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Are Jews Safe in the West? with Alex Ryvchin - The Shape of Dialogue #43

12/15/2025
Alex Ryvchin is co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the author of internationally acclaimed books of history and politics, and a best-selling children’s author. He writes for leading publications and speaks, debates and teaches around the world on the Arab-Israeli conflict, foreign and national affairs, antisemitism and the Holocaust, and religion and identity, and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. About Alex Ryvchin - https://www.alexryvchin.com/bio Books - https://www.alexryvchin.com/books Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir and The English Baroque Soloists https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016 https://open.spotify.com/album/3ELfX4GIPcYOTJBl8PdoKi?si=I8bz8nhaTyK3Qq4E5-ZtXg

Duration:01:00:44

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Narcissistic Transgression with Vaishnavi Sundar - The Shape of Dialogue #42

12/7/2025
Vaishnavi Sundar - Feminist, Writer, Filmmaker & Activist Vaishnavi Sundar discusses the narcissistic transgressions of trans ideology and its negative impact on women and girls. https://vaishnavisundar.com/ https://vaishnavisundar.com/about/ Behind The Looking Glass - FIRST EVER Documentary about the Wives & Children of Trans-Identified Men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frffv2sB8zE&t=6s https://limesodafilms.com/btlg/ https://limesodafilms.com/ Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:00:26:54

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Trans: Fact or Fiction? with Helen Joyce - The Shape of Dialogue #44

11/12/2025
Trans: Fact or Fiction? with Helen Joyce - The Shape of Dialogue #44 Helen Joyce, campaigner for women's rights from Sex Matters, talks about our ancient common knowledge of the difference between men and a women, and the three recent seismic events pushing back against trans-ideology and its harm to women's rights and children - The UK Cass Report in April 2024 The United States President’s EXECUTIVE ORDER 14168 - Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government - January 2025 The For Women Scotland UK Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 Helen Joyce https://www.thehelenjoyce.com/ https://www.thehelenjoyce.com/p/about-me Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0861540492?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:01:51

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The War on Science with Lawrence Krauss - The Shape of Dialogue #43

11/7/2025
Lawrence Krauss talks about his new book about the war and science https://lawrencemkrauss.com/ The War on Science: Thirty-Nine Renowned Scientists and Scholars Speak Out About Current Threats to Free Speech, Open Inquiry, and the Scientific Process https://www.amazon.com/War-Science-Thirty-Nine-Scientists-Scientific/dp/B0DWLP2VTZ A Critique of Anti-racism in Rhetoric with Dr Erec Smith - The Shape of Dialogue Podcast No 7 Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists & John Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:01:05

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Postmodernism, Liberal Values & How To Make A Proper British Cup Of Tea with Helen Pluckrose - The Shape of Dialogue #42

9/25/2025
https://www.hpluckrose.com/ Helen Pluckrose is a British liberal humanist writer and social commentator. She is the co-author with James Lindsay of Cynical Theories, Social (In)justice, as well as her own book, The Counterweight Handbook, about Principled Strategies for Surviving and Defeating Critical Social Justice at Work, in Schools, and Beyond. At university, Helen studied late medieval women's religious writing. Her work now focuses on critiques of postmodernist philosophies, Critical Social Justice scholarship and activism and their negative effects on the humanities and the political left. With James Lindsay and Peter Boghossian, Helen was instrumental in the now famous "Grievance Studies Affair" which exposed the dubious scholarship in academic fields captured by Postmodernism, critical theory and identity politics. They succeeded in publishing a number of fake, hoax papers in academic journals. The project was inspired by Alan Sokal's 1996 hoax paper he published in the academic journal, Social Text. From 2018 to 2021, Helen was the editor-in-chief of Areo, an online magazine focusing on politics, culture, science and art. You can read her current writings on her Substack called The Overflowings of a Liberal Brain - https://substack.com/@helenpluckrose Helen's books - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08GSPKP4M Helen's Quillette articles - https://quillette.com/author/helen-pluckrose/ Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:21:40

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What is the best pathway to knowledge? with David Deutsch - The Shape of Dialogue #41

9/11/2025
https://www.daviddeutsch.org.uk/ David Deutsch is a renowned University of Oxford physicist, philosopher, and the "father" of quantum computation. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, and his work includes fundamental issues in physics, particularly the quantum theory of computation and information, and the new field of constructor theory. In 1985, he proposed a universal quantum computer and went on to make some of the most significant advances in the field, including the discovery of the first quantum algorithms. He is renowned for his theoretical advances, including the theory of quantum logic gates and quantum computational networks, as well as several fundamental quantum universality results. His work set the agenda for subsequent international research efforts in quantum computation. David was awarded the Paul Dirac Prize and Medal by the Institute of Physics in 1998 and he won the Edge of Computation Science Prize in 2005. His books are highly influential. The Fabric of Reality explores the synthesis of ideas uniting Quantum Theory, and the theories of Computation, Knowledge and Evolution. The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavour. He has published many articles and research papers and has presented three TED talks. The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0143121359?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au The Fabric of Reality: Towards a Theory of Everything https://www.amazon.com.au/Fabric-Reality-Towards-Everything-Penguin-ebook/dp/B004YB9HVY?ref_=ast_author_dp Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:23:49

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Should universities seek truth? with Doug Elliffe - The Shape of Dialogue #40

9/6/2025
Douglas Mark Elliffe is a New Zealand academic and Professor of Psychology at the University of Auckland, where he has been affiliated since 1979 as a student and later as faculty. He completed his PhD in Psychology at the university, with a thesis titled "Multiple-schedule performance in closed economies," and joined the academic staff in 1992 to help establish the Psychology programme at the Tāmaki campus. Elliffe's research specialises in the experimental analysis of behaviour, focusing on learning and choice in animals and humans, with a particular interest in reconceptualising reinforcement as a signal guiding future behaviour rather than merely strengthening past actions. He has authored over 84 publications, garnering more than 2,000 citations. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles, including Head of the School of Psychology from 2010 to 2013 and Deputy Dean of Science since 2016. In 2021, Elliffe co-authored the now-famous Listener Letter, "In Defence of Science", which argued that Māori indigenous knowledge, while valuable, is not equivalent to science. Professor Elliffe decided to resign from the acting dean position amid the backlash within his department to the "In Defence of Science" letter. Climbing Mount Improbable by Richard Dawkins https://www.richarddawkins.com/books/book/climbing-mount-improbable- https://the-shape-of-dialogue.captivate.fm Thanks to Guy Quartermain for the videography - https://www.keyframe.co.nz/ Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:06:23

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Meaning & Storytelling with Travis Brown - The Shape of Dialogue #39

8/24/2025
About Travis Brown https://www.thesignalproductions.com/about Uncomfortable Truths: The Reality of Gender Identity Ideology https://www.thesignalproductions.com/ The Woke Reformation is a documentary series that chronicles the origins of Woke ideology, helps people understand it and gives advice on how to push back. https://www.wokereformation.com/ What Killed Michael Brown? https://whatkilledmichaelbrown.com/ https://vimeo.com/ondemand/whatkilledmichaelbrown?utm_medium=vod&utm_source=hp Reconciling Results on Racial Differences in Police Shootings By Roland G. Fryer, Jr https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/fryer/files/fryer_police_aer.pdf Surprising New Evidence Shows Bias in Police Use of Force but Not in Shootings https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/12/upshot/surprising-new-evidence-shows-bias-in-police-use-of-force-but-not-in-shootings.html 10,429 people have been shot and killed by police from 2015 to 2024 https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/ Number of people shot to death by the police in the United States from 2017 to 2024, by race https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/

Duration:01:08:30

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The Communism To Woke Pipeline with James Lindsay - The Shape of Dialogue #38

6/12/2025
Critical Race Theory expert Dr. James Lindsay outlines the genealogy of communism and its evolution into woke ideologies. About Dr. James Lindsay An American-born author, mathematician, and professional troublemaker, Dr. James Lindsay has written six books spanning a range of subjects including religion, the philosophy of science and postmodern theory. He is a leading expert on Critical Race Theory, which leads him to reject it completely. He is the founder of New Discourses and is currently promoting his new book "Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity―and Why This Harms Everybody", currently being translated into more than fifteen languages. https://newdiscourses.com/author/jameslindsay/ Music: Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque Soloists John Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:27:33

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Knowledge Based Education with Elizabeth Rata - The Shape of Dialogue #37

6/1/2025
https://elizabethrata.com/bio/ https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/e-rata Professor Elizabeth Rata is a sociologist of education in the School of Critical Studies, Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland where she is Director of the Knowledge in Education Research Unit (KERU). Her main research areas are in knowledge in the curriculum, knowledge politics, ethnic revivalism, Māori education, research methods, and the history of New Zealand education. https://the-shape-of-dialogue.captivate.fm Music: Bach B Minor Mass Performed by The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

Duration:01:08:54

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Science 101: Evidence vs Belief with Kendall Clements - The Shape of Dialogue #36

5/19/2025
About Kendall Clements https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/k-clements Mātauranga Māori Mātauranga Māori with Charles Royal - The Shape of Dialogue Podcast #15 For more on Science & Mātauranga Māori see the following playlist Science & Mātauranga Māori Playlist

Duration:01:22:42

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To error correct or not to error correct? with Peter Boghossian - The Shape of Dialogue #35

1/25/2025
https://peterboghossian.com https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian Bruce Gilley - https://www.nas.org/authors/bruce_gilley

Duration:01:14:00

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Supporting Social Justice with Peter Boghossian in Wellington 10 December at 6PM

10/1/2024
Supporting Social Justice with Peter Boghossian in Wellington 10 December at 6PM at The Loaves and Fishes Hall, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill St, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Buy your Supporting Social Justice ticket here: https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/supporting-social-justice-dr-peter-boghossian-argues-for-social-justice A Dialogue On Dialogue with Peter Boghossian - The Shape of Dialogue #29 https://youtu.be/uV3hIPN-V0g?si=MvrnxEFQ9FJj98NP Free Speech Union Peter Boghossian Events Peter Boghossian in Auckland with the Free Speech Union December 05, 2024 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm https://www.fsu.nz/peter_boghossian_in_auckland Peter Boghossian in Hamilton with the Free Speech UnionDecember 07, 2024 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm https://www.fsu.nz/peter_boghossian_in_hamiltonPeter Boghossian in Christchurch with the Free Speech UnionDecember 09, 2024 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm https://www.fsu.nz/peter_boghossian_in_christchurch

Duration:00:02:23

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Literacy Matters with Dr Melissa Derby - The Shape of Dialogue #34

9/10/2024
Dr Melissa Derby is a Senior Lecturer teaching early literacy and human development at the University of Waikato's Tauranga campus and online. Melissa completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury, and her study was part of A Better Start National Science Challenge. Her primary area of research is early literacy, and in particular, in exploring the role of whānau in fostering foundational preliteracy skills. More generally, she has an interest in Māori education and success. Melissa's scholarship has been recognised through a range of awards, including a Fulbright-Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Graduate Award, a SAGE Young Writer's Award, a University of Waikato Early Career Research Award, and two research awards from the Royal Society of New Zealand. She is the Director of the Early Years Research Centre at the University of Waikato, and co-Editor of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education's blog, Ipu Kererū. Melissa is on the Editorial Board for the journal of the International Literacy Association, The Reading Teacher. In New Zealand, she sits on a number of advisory groups for education and literacy, including the cabinet-appointed Ministerial Advisory Group advising the Minister of Education. Melissa is on the Board of Trustees at Matua School in Tauranga, New Zealand and the Board of Directors for Inspired Kindergartens in Tauranga, New Zealand. https://profiles.waikato.ac.nz/melissa.derby

Duration:00:59:55

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Losing Women’s Rights with Jill Ovens - The Shape of Dialogue #33

9/9/2024
Jill Ovens is a New Zealand trade unionist, politician, and women's rights advocate. She is the founder, co-leader and National Secretary of the Women's Rights Party. Before founding the Women's Rights Party, Jill Ovens was co-leader of the Alliance Party. In 2006, she resigned from the Alliance party. After being elected the northern secretary of the Service & Food Workers Union, she joined the Labour Party. She was a former Auckland/Northland regional representative on the Labour Party's Council. In 2023, Ovens resigned from the Labour Party as women's rights and voices were being subjugated by trans ideology activists within the Labour Party's leadership. In response, she founded the Women's Rights Party to highlight the loss of women's rights due to men claiming to be women trumping the hard-won civil rights of women. https://womensrightsparty.nz https://x.com/WRP_NZ A review of the protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics https://www.lawcom.govt.nz/our-work/ia-tangata/ Do women have rights? with Sall Grover - The Shape of Dialogue #316 https://youtu.be/o6TBckVgZLI?si=IQqbe6eR0W1FjfzS

Duration:01:14:24

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Why Study The Classics? with Dr James Kierstead - The Shape of Dialogue #32

8/16/2024
Dr James Kierstead is a Research Fellow with the Initiative and his main focus will be on higher education policy, including academic freedom. James holds a BA in Classics from Oxford, an MA in Ancient History from the University of London, an MA in Political Science from Stanford, and a PhD in Classics from Stanford. He is also the co-host (with Michael Johnston) of Free Kiwis!, a podcast dedicated to free speech in a New Zealand context. X at @Kleisthenes2. https://www.youtube.com/@Cleisthenes2/videos

Duration:01:35:50